After months of beta testing, Apple released Mac OS 11.3 the same day has iOS 14.5, whats new?
MacOS 11.3 closes a serious hole in terms of security, which allowed hackers to infect the devices with tons of malware. New features include an autoplay option in the Apple Music App, and 214 new emojis, such as smiling emojis, couples kissing, and the headphones emoji has been changed to look like a pair of AirPods Max as well.
More features are below this paragraph
Coming with MacOS 11.3 is the ‘Hello!’ Screensaver
A new “Hello” screensaver was included secretly, to get it, go to the system folders, Library, Screen Savers and copy Hello.saver to the desktop, then rename the copied folder Hellocopy.saver
Double click on the Hellocopy.saver and click install, and it will be selected by default.
This also works on non M1 macs running Big Sur 11.3.
Siri
Siri was also updated to have the voice changed during setup, and are now labled as, voice 1 or voice 2. IN the US however, there are 4 voices. Apple says that this gives more diverse options for Siri, as it does.
Apple Music
Apple Music updates include a new autoplay feature, to be used you have to enable it manually. It makes it be able to play similar tracks to the music you were just playing.
There is also a Made For You library which lets you find music custom to your needs without going through a music player.
Just as on iOS 14.5, Apple is also adding the ability to share lyrics when you send links to your friends via iMessage, Instagram, or Facebook Messenger. The function is limited to a maximum of 150 characters, but you can easily select the most suitable paragraph. When the person receives the message that part of the track will play.
Reminders
Following the macOS Big Sur 11.3 update, you will be able to easily sort Reminders by the type of notification. Users will also be able to move Reminders manually up and down by drag and drop within any list. The update will also offer support for printing Reminders, which can be used to show people reminders.
The update also fixes an issue where Reminders created with Siri could be unintentionally set for early morning hours.
iPhone and iPad apps on computers with M1 Processor
There is an option to change an iPhone and iPad app’s window size, support for displaying the highest resolution version of an iPhone or iPad app in full-screen, keyboard support for iPhone and iPad games designed to use device tile, keyboard, mouse, and trackpad support for iPhone and iPad games that support game controllers
Gaming
The new update has also added support for gaming controllers, such as the PS5 Dualsense, the Xbox Series S, or X, which is handy as Macs are, OK at gaming.
Podcasts
Podcasts pages are redesigned to make it easier to start listening, also there is now an option to save podcasts, which is very handy as trying to look for one for a long time isn’t something enjoyable. There is now a feature named Top Charts and popular categories to help find ones liked by the community.
Apple News
Apple redesigned their News app with MacOS 11.3, there is a For you tab to help users read newspapers, tailored to what they usually read. The search is also changed to help you find similar subjects and more.
Extra
The new AirTag support is now included, M1 Macs now have hibernation support, Safari now has the ability to customize the start page order, fixed a problem where iCloud Keychain would not switch off, Fixes AirPods audio routing to the incorrect device when Automatic Switching and problem where AirPods Automatic Switching notifications might be missing or duplicated and Apple fixed an issue where External 4K monitors don’t display in full resolution when connected via USB-C.